| Education - FAQs
Guide Dog Services
How old is a puppy when it is placed with
a puppy raiser?
A puppy is placed in the home when it is 7 - 8 weeks old.
Where do our puppies come from?
Guide Dogs SA purchase puppies from Royal New Zealand Foundation
for the Blind.
Why do we get our puppies from New Zealand?
The reason we get our puppies from New Zealand is that the puppies
are bred from what we call Guide Dog Stock Lines. The term Guide
Dog Stock lines is that the parents, grand parent and great grandparents
of the puppy are proven Guide Dogs. A nice settled and sound temperament
is required and the ability to show good working ethics make a good
breeding dog. Hopefully with the right breeding the puppies will
be born with the same genetic temperament and ability to work as
his/her parents have.
What breeds of dogs have been used?
In South Australia we mainly use Labrador Retrievers. We also used
the Golden Retriever and the German Shepherd.
Do puppy raisers find it hard to give the
dog up?
A lot of puppy raisers do find it difficult to let go, as there
is such a strong attachment to the dog. The Association wouldn't
expect anything less. They are comforted with the knowledge that
the puppy they have raised will be a great companion and loving
friend to a person who is blind or vision impaired. The puppy Raisers
are also informed the whole way through the dogs training of the
progress the dog is making, and they are also informed if the dog
has been placed with the client if successful.
Is the puppy raiser allowed to stay in contact
with the client about the dog?
Yes, this is allowed with the permission from the client.
Where does the puppy stay if the puppy raiser
needs to go away?
The puppies are placed with Emergency Boarders who are families
that look after the puppy short term, on a temporary basis. Then
the puppy returns back to the puppy raiser.
Is it very time consuming to puppy raise?
When raising a guide dog puppy it does involve socialization, toilet
training, grooming and general care for the dog for a good part
of the day. So when puppy raising, we do ask that you are flexible
during the day and have adequate time for the puppy.
Are male dogs or female dogs preferred for
Guide Dog Training?
Neither male nor female dogs are preferred, but there are requirements
in a dog that are considered to suit the person with the vision
impairment. For example the height of the client is considered to
see if that person will need a small dog or large dog.
Are guide Dogs allowed to travel on public
transport?
Yes, working Guide Dogs are allowed to travel free on all forms
of public transports. eg. Taxis buses, trams, trains and aeroplanes.
Guide Dogs are also allowed into public places including restaurants,
shopping centres, hotels, cinemas etc.
Is there anywhere Guide Dogs aren't allowed
to go?
Guide Dogs are not allowed to enter the Burns Unit of a hospital
due to contamination.
Guide Dogs are not allowed access into the Zoo due to contamination
and disruption to the animals. Guide Dog users must inform all National
Parks that they are coming with a guide Dog.
How long does it take to train a Guide Dog?
The dog is on the puppy-raising program for approximately 12-14
months. The dog is then assessed for suitability for it's intensive
training program. The training program is approximately 6 months.
The dog is then allocated to a suitable client and then the client
and dog under go another month of training as a working team. The
Guide Dog Instructor will then do weekly follow-ups at the clientís
home, then monthly to 3 monthly to 6 monthly then 12 monthly follow-ups.
The instructor is always available if a client has any difficulties
outside these normal follow-ups.
What is the average working life of a guide
dog?
The average age of a working Guide Dog is 8 to 10 years old.
Does the person with the vision impairment
pay for the dog?
The dogs are given to the person with the vision impairment at no
cos
How much does a guide dog cost to train?
It costs in excess of $25,000 to train a Guide Dog.
Can I pat a Guide Dog?
Guide Dogs are very special. When you see a Guide Dog in harness
you should not pat them. This is very hard, but by patting a Guide
Dog in harness you will distract them from their work and that may
put the guide dog and their owner in danger. However, if the Guide
Dogs owner takes the harness off and gives their permission, then
it is okay to pat them.
Do you have to be totally blind to apply
for a Guide Dog?
No, a person can have vision impairment (some form of sight) to
get a guide dog, not all guide Dog users are totally blind.
Do Guide Dogs get to play and act as normal
pets?
When a guide dog is out of harness the dog is allowed to play and
'be a dog', this is extremely important as this is time for the
dog to relax.
How does a Guide Dog know when to cross the road?
The guide dog and their owner are a team and make decisions together; the client has been taught how to negotiate the traffic by listening to the direction the traffic is traveling. When the client decides to cross the road, the guide dog will assist them by crossing in the shortest distance between pram ramps or kerbs, spending less time in the road. When the client feels it is safe to cross after listening to the traffic they will give the command "Forward", if the client makes a mistake and a car is approaching, the guide dog has been taught to refuse the “Forward” command. The Owner will then reassess and cross once the car has passed safely. If a car approaches as the guide dog and client is crossing, the dog will stop until that car has passed and then both Owner and dog will proceed to cross the road. In all situations the owner is responsible for crossing the road safely. How does a Guide Dog know when to get on
the bus?
The dog doesn't know when to get on a bus. It is up to the client
to ask the bus driver what bus has stopped, or the bus driver will
call out to the client what number bus it is. When the right bus
comes along the client will command the dog "Forward"
followed by the command "find the step". It is important
that the dog places both front feet onto the first step to let the
client know when to step up.
What happens to a dog is unsuccessful?
Dogs that are unsuccessful are just as important as Guide Dogs. We always ensure that they either have the opportunity of a new career: They may become a Pets as Therapy Dog, an Assistance Dog, used in Customs and a Lions Hearing Dog. From time to time we may find a new home for a dog, and their new family will give Guide Dogs a donation of up to $1500 depending on the dog, in order to support our ongoing work.
Mobility Services
Why do some vision impaired people use guide
dogs and some use long canes?
There are many reasons why some people use guide dogs and others
use the long cane. Some people simply may not have an affinity to
animals and may not wish to take on the responsibility of feeding
and caring for a working dog, indeed long canes don't require feeding
or toileting! Other people may not have enough work for a guide
dog or may prefer to use the long cane for religious or cultural
reasons.
Are most people totally blind or do some
people have residual vision?
The vast majority of people have some residual vision. The role
of a Mobility Instructor is to train people with vision loss how
to maximise the use of their remaining vision.
Why can some people with vision impairment
see to read, but then trip over things that they obviously haven't
seen while others can cross roads safely but can't recognise faces?
Vision loss may occur in different parts of the eye. This means
that some people may experience a loss of their central vision only,
whereas others may lose their peripheral or side vision. The sometimes
highly specific nature of vision loss determines what people can
and can't see. People with central vision loss may have difficulty
reading and recognising faces, whereas people with peripheral loss
may have difficulty seeing and judging the speed of cars and have
night blindness.
How much does training cost?
Training is provided at no cost to clients who are referred to the
Guide Dogs Association of S.A. and N.T.
How long will training take?
This depends on an individual assessment of the clients' needs.
It may take as little as one visit or for a comprehensive program
may take several months.
Do I have to use a white cane?
The orientation and mobility instructor will advise the client as
to the appropriate usage of an adaptive aid. Safety and independence
are the primary concerns and a recommendation will be made as to
whether development of functional vision or adaptive aids (white
cane, electronic device) is required.
Where do you train?
In most instances training is conducted in the environment (home,
school, work, etc.) in which the client requires support.
Will I be a 'target' if I advertise my vision
impairment?
This has not been the experience of many people with vision impairment
receiving services from the Guide Dogs Association.
How does a person with vision impairment
obtain a travel pass?
Legal blindness is a term used to classify people for pensions and
benefits and is assessed by an eye specialist. If a person with
vision impairment is classified legally blind by their specialist,
then they can apply for a travel pass through the Office of Passenger
Transport.
Hearing Solutions
What services does Hearing Solution Provide?
Hearing solutions provides free unbiased advice about hearing equipment.
Hearing Solutions does not sell a particular brand, or act as an
agent for a particular product. We can help you work out what is
right for you, and then let you know the best place to get it from.
Do you supply hearing aids?
Hearing solutions does not supply hearing aids. However, we can
help you work out what aids and equipment may be best for you and
we can also give you advice on how to use and maintain your equipment
to get the most out of it.
Do you do hearing assessments?
We provide hearing assessments only during heightened awareness
periods such as Hearing Awareness Week. However, we can assist you
to interpret hearing assessments you have had done, and link you
to appropriate services, resources and equipment once an assessment
is completed.
Do you work with people with tinnitus
or other associated conditions?
When a person has a hearing loss we can offer assistance. If the
person does not have a hearing loss then we can link you to other
supports in the community that can help.
Sensory Directions
What is case management?
Case Management, is the key model for Sensory Directions. Essentially
it is the practice of assisting people who have a sensory disability
as well as complex and multiple needs to get the services and supports
they need from a range of service providers. These service providers
may include community, government or disability services.
Do I have register with you to receive services?
No, you do not need to be registered with Sensory Directions if
you do not need our services now. You are able to access services
from any of the sensory disability agencies without coming through
Sensory Directions; you only need to come to us if you have a need
for complex case management.
Sensory Loss
What is sensory loss?
Sensory loss covers many different types of disabilities:
- Blind - little or no residual sight;
- Vision Impaired - significant to severe sight impairment even
when corrected with glasses;
- Deaf - severe to profound, prelingual hearing loss, and use
of Auslan as the primary language, and identification with the
"Deaf culture";
- Hearing Impaired - mild to profound hearing loss, use of oral
English as the primary language; and
- Deafblind - a combination of hearing and vision loss which severely
impacts on an individualís communication, socialisation
and independence.
What is the cost of services provide by Guide
Dogs?
All services provided by Guide Dogs are free of charge, although
some activities with the SAIL program may incur a cost.
Does Guide Dogs provide services outside
of the metropolitan area?
Yes, all Guide Dogs SA programs are provided across metro and country
SA. Visits are made to all country areas several times a year, more
frequently if necessary. You can call out 1800 number if you wish
to know more.
How do I know if I am eligible?
You can simply contact one of the staff and they can talk with you
about what you need and what we can do to help. If we can't help
we will help find someone who can.
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